20TWENTY

A) Red eyes? B) Itchy eyes? C) Irritated eyes? . . . or D) All of the above?

2010-12-25T10:49:00.001-08:00

How many times have you been down the aisle at CVS with the million bottles of eye drops and you just don't know what to get? Perhaps it's because you don't quite know what it is exactly that is causing your red, itchy, irritated eyes.

There are a few diseases of the eye that can cause those symptoms so it's best for you to get your condition diagnosed by your eye doctor.

Why your eye doctor and not your family doctor? Your eye doctor has this microscope (pictured below) to view the clinical signs in your eye that are causing your symptoms, while your family doctor does not.

Lately we have been getting more cases of perennial allergic conjunctivitis. That's an allergy in the eye. When your eye doctor looks at the white part of your eyes . . . the blood vessels are dilated and red, and there is a rash underneath the eyelids.

It's December, and this time of year the cause of perennial (all year round) allergic conjunctivitis are the 3 usual suspects:

1) Pets (dander, hair, oil),

2) Dust mites &

3) Mold.

Most patients with perennial allergic conjunctivitis don't have much itch (if any at all) since the allergens (pets, dust mites & mold) are always present and the tissues of the eye adapt.

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis occurs basically when the flowers start blooming. Pollen is the culprit. Eyes water more. Sneezing increases. We will blog about seasonal allergic conjunctivitis when April comes closer:)

But if there's an inflammation of the eye, there's an inflammation of the eye that needs to be treated to prevent the condition from getting worse. This is EXTREMELY important if you are a contact lens wearer.

There are a few good options to treat perennial and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. All the effective eye drops for allergy contain a combination of BOTH an anti-histamine (stops the itch) and a mast cell stabilizer (prevents the itch).

Your eye doctor will be the one to pick the eye drop that is right for you. In our clinic, our allergy eye drop of choice is Bepreve. It is the newest generation of treatments for allergy in the eye and has many benefits.

Benefits of Bepreve eye drops:

1) Works fast (3 minutes or less).

2) Works on the golf course (severe cases).

3) Safe for kids 2 and up.

4) Safest allergy eye drop for contact lens wearers.

5) Doesn't sting or burn upon instillation.

6) Available in a large 10 ml bottle which means you save money!!

But don't take my word for it! Go see your eye doctor and ask for the best available treatment for your condition:)

Tear Saver helps patients with Dry Eyes

2010-10-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

At Oakland Vision Center Optometry, an integral part of Inflammatory Dry Eye Syndrome treatment is a procedure called Tear Saver.

The Tear Saver serves 2 purposes:

1) As you are increasing your tear quantity with Restasis, Tear Saver will help your eyes feel more moist; and

2)It will help the Restasis and Xibrom eyedrops absorb into the tissues of the eye rather than just drain down the nose.

The doctor will insert a microscopic plug into the drainage canal that connects the eye to the nose. Please see the picture below.

Tear Saver is an invisible, painless procedure that takes less than 5 minutes.

The procedure is performed after artificial tears have been tried (and failed) and usually after 8 weeks of therapy on Restasis and Xibrom eyedrops.

The Tear Saver is made of a material very similar to surgical grade sutures. It slowly and safely dissolves in about 3-6 months.

Ask your doctor about Tear Saver. It's easy, safe and works!

New Super Amazing Savings on Restasis for Inflammatory Dry Eye Syndrome

2010-09-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

Update on Restasis Advantage Pack for even more savings!

Oakland Vision Center is now able to provide patient with the most economical savings program ever. The new Restasis Advantage Pack allows for the following:

Treatment months 1-3, you will get an immediate $45 off your mail-order co-pay.
Treatment months 4-6, you will get another immediate $45 off your mail-order co-pay.
Treatment months 7-9, you will get completely for FREE. (And the cycle repeats for another 9 months)

What I love about the new program is that the savings is instant. No more rebates that you have to wait weeks to get.

Most mail order co-pays around the Oakland area run between $50 and $70. A 1 year prescription of Restasis will now cost you between $15 and $45. This makes the annual cost less than an annual cost of most generic medications.

If you would like to be signed up for the new mail order plan, please email us at ovc.services@gmail.com or call the office at 510-893-5566.

*Please note: we only fill prescriptions for our current patients.

Optical Illusions. Where art bends the eye . . .

2010-06-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Patients just love optical illusions. This is the best compilation we could find and it's pretty neat. Enjoy!!

50% Frame Sale at Oakland Vision Center. . . NOW!

2010-03-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

Oakland Vision Center is having a 50% off clearance sale staring April 1, 2010. All items are current season styles and are NOT discontinued so they come with a warranty.

You are invited for the PRE-SALE which starts NOW for the best selection.

We are making room for new collections for the summer and you are invited to stop by and get those glasses you've been eyeing (ha-ha).

All ophthalmic frames & sunglasses are discounted 50%. Brands include: Dior, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, Coach, ic berlin!, Missoni, Burberry, Versace, Moschino, 2.5 by italee, Kazuo Kawasaki by italee, Carrera, Armani, Maui Jim, Rudy Project, Caviar, Cazal, Jaguar, Izod, Jhane Barnes, Thalia, Republica, Kensie, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange & Ted Baker.

Only items we have in stock are 50% . . . so come early for the best selection! Outside prescriptions are welcome but absolutely not necessary to participate in the sale:)

Doc, am I allergic to my designer makeup? Please say NO!

2010-03-08T10:13:00.000-08:00

We have many dry eye patients that ask why their eyes get more red upon applying makeup. The most common assumption is that they are allergic to that particular brand of makeup. And we know how much designer make-up costs!

Before you throw that $32 NARS eyeshadow duo in the garbage . . . STOP & READ THIS!!

Most patients are right to think they are just allergic to their makeup. The eyes get red, gritty, sandy and itchy. But it's really just a side effect of not having enough healthy tears to flush away all those little tiny particles of designer powder and pigments.

There is a really easy tip to alleviate this problem. I do this myself so I know it works!

Apply the eyeliner and mascara first. Then instill 1 drop of Optive artificial tears BEFORE applying the eye powders. Once that is done, instill 1 drop of Optive artificial tears every 2-3 minutes until that sandy and/or the redness goes away. Usually 2 drops does the trick, but sometimes I have to apply up to 10. It just depends on the day!

If you are one of these patients that gets red eyes with makeup application, you should really have me evaluate you for dry eye syndrome. You would definitely, definitely benefit from Restasis and/or Azasite treatment.

It's time to stop ignoring the symptoms and time to get back into your beautiful makeup routine,)

LV Impulsion Sunglasses . . . hot or not?

2010-03-05T21:43:00.000-08:00

The new trend are spectacles made of a polycarbonate, flexible "frame." Louis Vuitton puts a nice twist on the modern meets the classic aviator in hard to miss colors.

I tried these on at the Louis Vuitton store in San Francisco. The frame is flexible and is really light. And I'd have to admit they look pretty hot . . . but of course I'd have to be in St. Tropez to pull it off.

(PS: See you in St. Tropez! LOL.)

Got an ocular prosthetic? Here's a quick care guide.

2010-03-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

We have a few patients in our practice with a prosthetic eye. The eye was unfortunately lost due to a birth defect, ocular trauma or an ocular disease process. Most of our patients don't really know what to do in terms of prosthesis care. Here is an easy to read guide:

EVERYDAY

1. All cleaning is done with the prosthesis inside the eye socket.

2. Place a tissue under the lower lid & rinse the prosthesis and eyelids with sterile saline.

3. Wipe away any mucus on the prosthesis and eyelids.

4. Place 1 drop of Enuclene on the front surface of the prosthesis.

EVERY 6 MONTHS

1. Schedule an appointment every 6 months with your ocularist.

2. Your ocularist will clean, reglaze & check the fit of your prosthesis.

3. Schedule an appointment with your optometrist who may diagnose and treat the eye socket & eyelids for allergy, dryness, inflammation or infection.

EVERY 5 YEARS
1. Your prosthesis should be replaced.

2. Replacement is primarily due to wear & tear.

3. The good eye may also change in pupil size and color and the prosthesis should be upgraded to match.

If you need a referral for an ocularist, we have that too! Please email us at ovc.optical@gmail.com

Ocusoft Lid Foaming Eyelid Cleanser

2010-02-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

We now carry 2 sizes in the lid foaming cleanser: 7.25 fl oz (the large bottle) and a 50ml (travel size). The travel size is TSA approved & can be put into your carry on luggage.

Although many of my patients have found other uses for this lid foaming cleanser, we use it specifically for anterior blepharitis (inflammation on the area where the eyelash attaches to the eyelid) and to control posterior blepharitis (inflammation on the ridge of the eyelid margins lined with oil glands).

Many contact lens wearing find that wearing comfort and time improves when the lid foam cleanser is used twice a day. It's great for contact lens wearers!

DIRECTIONS FOR OUR PATIENTS:

1) Apply 1 pump of foaming cleanser to clean fingertips (or cotton pad).

2) Close your eyes (this is not for cleaning the inside of the eyes).

3) Rub the foaming cleanser in a side-to-side motion on both eyelids for about 10 seconds.

4) Concentrate on the area where the eyelash meets the base of the eyelid.

5) Repeat morning and night.

Ocusoft makes the lid cleanser in 2 formulations: a foaming cleanser (our preference for better penetration and ease of use), and packets of pre-wetted scrubs which tends to more drying around the gentle tissues around the eye. The choice is yours.

When getting LASIK, wavefront is the way to go

2010-02-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

This Friday, one of my patients is having laser vision correction. She asked me which procedure was better:

Traditional Lasik versus Wavefront Lasik.

I am a simple person and like to think of a television set when describing the difference.

Traditional LASIK is like the television set you grew up with, while Wavefront LASIK is like the High Definition television set sitting in your living room today . . . the image is that much clearer.

The cost between Traditional LASIK and Wavefront LASIK runs about $1,000 more for Wavefront, but in my opinion is the best investment you can make.

And who wouldn't want the clearest vision possible?

Azasite for MGD (directions)

2009-09-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

One of the most common conditions diagnosed in my practice is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). To simplify things, the tears are made of 2 components:

1) Tears made by the lacrimal gland, and

2) Oil made by the meibomian glands.

Here we are going to concentrate just on the meibomian glands. The meibomian glands of the eye are located at the upper and lower eyelid margins. They tend to get clogged and sometimes can get infected and become styes.

Most of the time, the meibomian glands get congested which leads to less oil distributed to the tears, and dry eye symptoms (redness, itching, burning, watering, etc . . . ) can occur.

A common treatment for MGD is Azasite ophthalmic drops.

If I have prescribed Azasite to you, here are the directions:

1) place one to two drops of Azasite onto two clean fingertips.

2) rub the drops into the upper and lower eyelid margins carefully (where the eyelashes meet the eyelids).

3) repeat steps 1-2 before bedtime only until the 2.5 ml bottle is gone.

4) this treatment should last about 3 weeks.

Step 5) See me at week 4 for a progress check. At this appointment, your tear film and tear productivity will be measured as it is common that inflammatory dry eye syndrome is the underlying cause of your symptoms and not simply the MGD.

PS: Always let your doctor know if you are allergic to macrolides (i.e. Erythromycin). Azasite is in the macrolide family of antibiotics.

Here Comes The Sun . . .

2009-08-13T08:34:00.001-07:00

Here are some new style for Summer 2009. Versions of the Wayfarer in all sorts of colors is making pool time more vibrant. Pair it up with a mojito & SPF . . . you are all set !

ARMD and red meat?

2009-07-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Did you know that by 2050, the number of people with early ARMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration) will double in the USA to more than 17.8 million??!!

That number is astounding.

According to an article on MedicalNewToday.com, a new study from Australia suggests that eating a lot of red meat is linked to a higher risk of developing ARMD. In the study, published in the April 2009 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that people who ate chicken at least 3 times a week were 50% less likely to develop ARMD. In contrast, eating red meat 10 times a week gave a person a 47% higher risk of developing ARMD than if the red meat was comsumed less than 5 times a week.

I myself, try to stay away from red meat except for the occasional new restaurant or to try something new when traveling.

I do find this an interesting study as choices for longevity can be made daily. It is your choice.

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Lego Sunglasses

2009-06-29T07:30:00.001-07:00

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Lego Sunglasses

You are not going to believe this!!!

Like I said, the French LOVE their eyewear. I will not be adding these to my office . . . but they are fun to look at.

Shared via AddThis

OPTICIEN

2009-06-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

This really cool optical shop I found on accident while looking for pastries. Inside they have coffee and little snacks for shoppers. Of course I meant espresso, not coffee.

And across the street the Transparence Optique with a beautiful pop art window display. Most of the optical shops have a bright neon glasses sign signifying "OPTICIEN." They are as easy to find like barber shops. By this time, I was stuffing my face with a cheese tart.

Parisians LOVE their eyewear

2009-06-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

On my most recent visit to Paris I noticed one major difference: Europeans LOVE their glasses. There seems to be an optical shop every block . . . yes they are more prevalent than Starbucks.

Their window displays are rather charming and the glasses are all what we consider designer and high end. Love it!

Contact Lenses, Red Eyes & Travel

2009-04-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

So you've planned your summer vacation and you are finally going to eat sushi in Tokyo. Congrats . . . but what to do if you've got contact lenses or get a red eye? Here's a few tips:

1. Wear your glasses instead of your contacts on the airplane ride. The air is extremely dry on an airplane. I also tell patients to bring lubricating moisture drops such as Optive Sensitive and instill 1 drop into each eye every hour. This will keep your eyes from getting irritated and red.

2. The TSA approves all Over-The-Counter medications for carry on luggage . . . and this includes your contact lens solution, saline, rewetting drops for contacts and artificial tears. If you MUST wear your contact lenses on the airplane (I told you not to do this, but okay) . . . make sure the containers are 3 ounces or less and are in a 1-quart zip-top plastic baggie.

We have travel sized Opti-Free Replenish in our office that we are more than happy to give out to our patients. I'm sure your eye doctor has and does the same.

3. If you wear glasses and no contact lenses, please PLEASE bring a back-up pair. I once had a patient a few years ago plan an amazing safari for her and her husband's 20 year anniversary. They had went through all the details of the trip with a fine-toothed comb including back-up camera equipment, etc. I advised her to get a back-up prescription for her glasses but she refused.

No joke. After stepping off the tarmac, her glasses somehow got pulled off her face and proceeded to get smashed by her husband's shoe. A hard lesson to learn.

4. When I triage patients over the phone, I use these guidelines loosely. So if you are a million miles away from your eye doctor and have no access to one . . . here are things to observe:

If there's yellow or green discharge coming out of your eye(s): it's a bacterial infection and you will need an antibiotic drop like Zymar or Ciloxan. Take 1 drop 4 times a day.

If your eye is really red and itchy and the discharge is clear and/or ropey in consistency: it's most likely allergic and you will need a drop like Patanol combined with some artificial tears. Again 4 times a day in the affected eye.

If one eye is really red, there's pain, there's sensitivity to sunlight and your vision has decreased: this could be more serious. The most common treatment is to use a steroid drop such as Pred Forte or a non-steroidal drop such as Acular in combination with Zymar or Ciloxan. Again 4 times a day for both drops. In this scenario you will want to see a doctor ASAP.

5. When my patients leave for a trip, I give them prescriptions for conditions they may be pre-disposed to. Allergic conjunctivitis is #1 on the list. Ask your eye doc to do the same!

Have a great trip!

Incredible Hulks Eyes

2009-03-11T19:55:00.000-07:00

I just love kids. They are the funniest people I know.

Today Calvin who is 11 years old asked me: "Dr. Gill, when the Incredible Hulk turns green . . . what part of his eye turns green?"

Being a full grown adult who never read a comic book in her life . . . I didn't know.

So here's the answer: The Iris.

When the Hulk goes ballistic, everything turns green except the white of his eyes (the sclera). There you go Calvin!

UVA UVB UVC

2009-03-07T10:30:00.000-08:00

If my patient has any of the following medical conditions (partial short list), I always prescribe a specialty polarized lens.

1) Cataracts (all stages) including post-Cataract surgery

2) Dry Eye (all forms)

3) Inflammatory Dry Eye Syndrome (all stages)

4) Diabetes with or without Retinopathy

5) Macular Degeneration (wet or dry)

6) Photophobia

7) Choroidal Nevus

My favorite lens to prescribe is the Maui Jim. It's multi-layer lens design completely eliminates glare and blocks 100% UV rays up to 400nm. Simply put: you see more clearly.

I love these lenses because they can be made with your prescription, offering clarity of vision and UV protection like no other product available on the market.

You should try these on for yourself. They are amazing.

Contact Lens TV? You cannot escape a scary scene!

2009-02-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

A patient brought this to my attention last week. I did some research on the web and found out that there are actually people out there . . . .

Ian Pearson, a futurologist from Britian, says that miniaturization of circuits and displays COULD lead to high-tech contact lenses in which body heat alone would provide the energy source to flip through channels and watch movies. And this technology might exist in about 10 years . . . TRIPPY, right?

Imagine watching Saw Part 38 (in 10 years = 33 more sequels of Saw) but not being able to hide your eyes under your sleeve?! The image of Saw would be in your contact lenses and in your eye. You could close your eyes, but the image would still be transmitted to your brain . . . TRIPPY, right?

If you don't believe me . . . Apparently LiveScience has been testing digital contact lenses that can zoom and display objects on rabbits already. WOW!

If these Contact Lens TV sets ever come to fruition, you better believe it . . . I'm sticking only to romantic comedies.

Restasis Directions

2009-02-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

After your eye doctor has precribed Restasis for your inflammatory dry eye dysfunction, here's a handy reference for what to do next.Here are the directions for Restasis:

Instill 1 drop into each eye in the morning and evening. This will equal 2 times a day

If you forget to take the drop at your scheduled time, just instill the drop into each eye as soon as you remember and take the following drop as you would normally.

If you remember that you forgot the morning dose when you are taking the evening dose, go ahead and put in 2 drops into each eye.

Here's what to do when you pick up your Restasis prescription from the Pharmacist:

1. Make sure you pick up 2 trays. 2 trays equals a 1 month supply.

2. Most of the time I prescribe a 3 month supply at once. You will be picking up 6 trays for your 3 month supply.

3. Bring your My Tears My Rewards card to the Pharmacist. You will automatically get a $25.00 cash rebate from the Pharmacist. Your eye doctor will give you this card.

The last step for Restasis:

Please follow this link to My Tears My Rewards. This will register you with Allergan so you will receive additional rebates on future refills. CLICK HERE.

RESTASIS Treatment for Inflammatory Dry Eye

2009-02-11T18:11:00.000-08:00

Inflammatory dry eye is the most common, missed-diagnosed eye disease that I see in my office. When I say "missed-diagnosed", I mean . . . your doctor probably heard your complaints (red eyes, itchy eyes, eyes feel gritty or sandy, blurred vision, sensitive to wind and light, etc . . . ), but MISSED the proper diagnosis to treat the cause of your symptoms. He or she probably gave you a bottle of artificial tears and told you to take them "As Much As You Need."

And after months to years of taking artificial tears as needed, you quit them because they really didn't work: your eyes are still red. Still irritated. You still feel gritty. You can't even drive with the windows rolled down. It's THAT annoying.

My dear patient, you have just described to me: Inflammatory Dry Eye Dysfunction. You know it's real, and so should your doctor.

There is only 1 treatment for Inflammatory Dry Eye Dysfunction available, and that is Restasis. I prescribe it almost every day at the clinic simply because it works. After about 3 weeks, you will start to make healthy tears again. By about 3 months, Restasis will be your new bestfriend. By 6 months, it will be your new boyfriend. And by the way, a big bonus: you will no longer look like you smoke your breakfast before you get to the office. No More Red Eyes!

I will be covering risk factors for Inflammatory Dry Eye Dynsfunction on another blog post (search keyword: RESTASIS) . . . so please check back! Until then . . . ask your doctor about Restasis. I did.

Is High-Def all that? . . . Try getting your eyes checked!

2009-02-08T10:43:00.000-08:00

You really can't beat the image quality of high-definition TV compared to regular TV. The image looks incredibly REAL, almost fake. You can actually SEE the wrinkles and imperfections of actors and actresses (poetic justice, if you ask me).

But if you really ask me . . . if you have small amounts of far-sightedness or near-sightedness that is not corrected by glasses or contacts. Or if you have undiagnosed & untreated inflammatory dry eye syndrome or ocular allergy . . .

P.S. . . .YOU JUST WASTED YOUR MONEY!

If you really want to see high-def . . . your eyes must be fully corrected AND healthy. If you have any of the things I mentioned above, you are seeing blurry to begin with. You are not getting the full benefits of the enhanced image quality that high-def is supposed to offer . . .

So, please rethink your 50-inch LCD and Blu-Ray disc player purchase until you've seen your eye doctor. We are ultimately the HIGH-DEF experts.

Our New WEBSITE

2009-02-01T14:20:00.001-08:00

www.oaklandvisioncenter.com

It's been a long time coming . . . but we FINALLY have our website completed and LIVE!!

www.oaklandvisioncenter.com is the web address. Here you can read about who we are, our mission statement and what services we can offer you and your family.

It's short. It's easy to read. It's easy to use.

On the bottom of each page, you can download patient forms, order contacts from OUR contact lens webstore (patients are loving it including the prices!) and get links for reviews, this blog, etc.

Tell us what you think!

CLICK HERE to go to www.oaklandvisioncenter.com

AURA . . . Am I going blind or Am I going crazy?

2009-01-24T18:22:00.000-08:00

Ever have your field of vision change colors right in front of you?

One of my patients said they got "Star Trek Eyes" and described something that looked just like this picture:

This is my favorite picture to show patients. 80% of my patients see this picture and say "YES! THAT'S IT!"

This is AURA my friends. It happens when the blood vessel inside the eye constricts and dilates, causing this visual phenomenon. It is very much like when you get a headache or migraine, but instead of the blood vessel constricting and dilating in your head . . . it's in the retinal vessels. It usually lasts between 10 - 30 minutes. And the vision always returns back to normal.

Aura, just like migraines can have a trigger. Certain foods like wine, changes in weather, stress or menstruation can bring on the visual aura, and the aura can occur with or without a headache. Most of my patients have aura, but without the symptom of a headache/migraine.

One things for certain. If you are driving while you experience aura, you'll want to pull over until it passes as many patients reports the aura become debilitating blind spots.

Here's another description of AURA and how it progresses:

The blind spot will start central and start as a "small, grey dot."

Then progress outward after a few minutes into a doughnut like shape . . .

Then progress even further into the periphery until it disappears . . .

After the aura disappears, your vision should ABSOLUTELY return back to normal.

If it's your first time having AURA, you should see your eye doctor for a dilated retinal examination to rule out a retinal tear or detachment . . . I did.

How do I know if my baby is having eye problems? PART 1

2009-01-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

Parents often ask me:

"How do I know if my baby is having eye problems?"

Considering that most 5 month old babies are not speaking full sentences, let alone telling you: "Mommy, I need to see the Optometrist . . . I think I'd look really smart in glasses!"

So, how do you tell your baby is having eye problems??

One of the easiest tests I like to do is called the Eye Avoidance Test. It's really easy to do. And it is testing for AMBLYOPIA . . . aka: Lazy Eye.

And of course finding a lazy eye is really important in a baby because it can absolutely be corrected! We want all babies to have great vision. Great vision leads to better school performance. Great vision leads to better social development. Great vision leads to a more confident child.

Here's what to do:

1. Cover the left eye with an occluder (your thumb, a spoon . . . anything that covers the eye completely will do) for about 10 seconds and see how your baby responds.

2. Then repeat the test on the right eye.

If your baby does nothing, your baby passed the test! This means they are seeing just fine out of the right AND left eye.

If your baby moves their head, moves your hand away, starts crying or screaming when you cover one of the eyes (and not the other) . . . they have failed the test. This means your baby most likely has a lazy eye!!

The eye that is lazy is the eye that is not covered, of course. If you cover the good eye, the eye that sees the world and mommy-licious . . . baby is NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY. If you cover the bad eye, the eye that's really not working anyway, baby WON'T REALLY CARE.

So it's vital to do the test on both eyes. Repeat the test if you are unsure with the results. If after many trials and you are still unsure . . . just bring baby to your eye doctor!

Remember: EARLY DETECTION IS KEY!

Please check back soon . . . I'll have more easy ways to check your baby's vision on future blog posts.

Visine, Up for Probable Cause!

2009-01-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

Back in November I blogged about Visine and can it can really cause diarrhea like in the hit movie Wedding Crashers . . .

NOW THIS!

News just in the other day, January 8th, 2009 from Springfield:

SPRINGFIELD -- A woman from the Fair Grove area is accused of trying to poison her husband about six months ago. Tonia Peterson, 40, is charge with first-degree assault.

Investigators believe Peterson poured an eye medication, Visine, into Cecil Peterson's tea. Green County Sheriff's Department detectives say they were tipped off about it after she talked about it at work, and her co-workers turned her in.

In the probable cause statement used as the basis for the charge on Thursday, Detective Kenny Weatherford wrote that Peterson told him that she put a "half bottle of Visine in her husband's tea in attempt to kill him. She stated that she was told by a friend prior that Visine would kill him. She stated before she put the Visine in his drink she checked on the Internt where she found information that supported her friend's statement." She also thought this could go undetected in a toxicology test, a detective said in an interview on Thursday.

Peterson was in the Greene County jail on Thursday night in lieu of a $100,000 bond. If convicted, she could face a prison sentence between five and 15 years. The investigation is ongoing including the seizure of Tonia Peterson's computer, and whether a life insurance policy could be a compounding factor.

MY THOUGHTS? Why not try divorcing?

Don't Hesistate with a Retinal Detachment

2009-01-14T19:16:00.000-08:00

Today I diagnosed a retinal detachment. Not the most fun thing to tell your patient . . . but a retinal detachment is a vision threatening, medical emergency.

RETINAL DETACHMENT is a disorder of the eye where the retina (the part of the eye that allows you to see) pulls away from the wall of the eye; very much like wallpaper peeling off the wall. It can happen from trauma, pre-existing eye conditions such as diabetes & high myopia, or it can simply happen spontaneously . . . just plain bad luck!

The risk of retinal detachment is around 5 in 100,000 per year and increases with age to about 20 in 100,000 per year. It is more common in patients with high myopia (above -5.00 diopters) since their eyes are elongated and stretched thin.

For patients with diabetic retinopathy or proliferative sickle cell disease, the neovascularized blood vessels can pull the retina from the wall of the eye causing a traction retinal detachment.

If you have had a retinal detachment in one eye, you have about a 15% chance of getting it in the other eye. The risk increases to about 25-30% after cataract surgery.

Symptoms of a retinal detachment include:

1. A dark shadow that starts in the periphery of your vision and progresses towards the center.

2. A dark veil or curtain that draws down or across your field of vision.

3. Straight lines suddenly appear curved.

4. Complete vision loss.

5. A sudden increase in the quantity of floaters in your vision.

6. Flashes of light in the periphery of your vision even when your eyes are closed.

There are many forms of treatment depending on the size, location and complexity of the retinal detachment. Your best source will be your eye doctor.

If you are having any of the symptoms I mentioned above . . . SEE YOUR EYE DOCTOR!

Get diagnosed ASAP so that you may get treatment ASAP.

Time is of the essence with a retinal detachment. Don't hesitate.

NAUGHTY or NICE?

2008-12-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

If you clean your contact lenses with TAP WATER . . . you may get this lovely snow-globe inspired corneal ulcer & painful eye for Xmas:

If you clean your contact lenses with OptiFree Replenish and follow your doctor's prescription . . . you may get this bob-sled inspired convertible hardtop BMW Z4 for Xmas:

Be Nice, Not Naughty!

When your eyelid goes AWOL . . .

2008-12-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, a patient came in with the complaint that her eyelid just would not stop twitching. It had been going on for about 10 days and it was time to see an eye doctor when her co-worker asked if there was something in her eye.

Involuntary eyelid blinking or twitching is a condition called blepharospasm. This means you are winking at people you don't want to be winking at. Such as co-workers. Not cool.

What's a girl to do?

The cause of blepharospasm in unknown, here are some things that are known:

1. It affects women more than men.

2. It is believed to be from a miscommunication between the brain and the eye muscle.

3. For most healthy people, the spasms occur for an episode of time (such as 2 weeks).

4. Stress, fatigue, bright lights & computer use may prolong it.

If you are reading this and you are winking at your monitor, it's really time you see your eye doctor. Why risk an unprofessional empty gesture of flirting with that guy next to your cubicle?

See you eye doctor because the blepharospasm may be a symptom of something else going on!

1. You could have dry eye or dysfunctional tear syndrome.

2. You could have an eye infection.

3. You could have something in your eye that needs to removed before it damages the eye.

4. You could be having a glaucoma related event.

What can you do right now until you see your eye doctor?

Get some rest. Lose the caffeine. Do a yoga class. Tell your co-worker it's "blepharospasm." See me tomorrow.

Should it Stay or Should it GO?

2008-11-30T17:59:00.000-08:00

How often should you replace your contact lens case?

The answer: A minimum of every 3 months.When you buy your next carton of eggs, just throw this into your basket. It's easy. It's inexpensive. And it's hygienic.
I repeat. It's hygienic.

If your contact lens case looks dirty, discolored, or if it has debris lodged in between the threads . . . you are very likely putting that dirt (i.e. bacteria) into your eye every time you re-insert your contact lens.

I recommend my patients to throw the contact lens case parts into the dishwasher at least once a month to remove any bio-film that may have accumulated.

This will decrease the risk of bacterial infection . . . and if you've been so lucky to not have one of those. Good.

Because:

1) They hurt like crazy.
2) They look really ugly.
3) You could loose your vision permanently.
4) They are really expensive . . . you'll miss at least 2 days of work.

So remember! Change that case at least every 3 months. Dishwash that case at least once a month.

Can VISINE really cause diarrhea?

2008-11-24T20:09:00.000-08:00

Can VISINE really cause diarrhea, like in the movie Wedding Crashers?

Apparently, 12 year old inquiring minds wanna know . . . I get asked this question enough times to blog it.

So here's the scoop. VISINE is probably the most erroneously applied medication available on the OTC market. The active ingredient, tetrahydrozoline, is a blood vessel constrictor and this is how it gets the red out.

VISINE works temporarily because the blood vessels in the eye just get red again. In addition, VISINE never fixes the true cause of the red eyes which can be dry eye or conjunctivitis. You just blew off your eye doctor appointment and flushed $10.00 down the toilet!

But back to the question . . .

Can VISINE really cause diarrhea???

I have seen the movie Wedding Crashers. And it is hilarious. But using VISINE as a prank is completely ill-advised. It can make someone very sick, but unlikely to make them spend the evening on the toilet while you are trying to win over his fiancee. VISINE can cause these severe side effects and can even lead to coma and death.

1. Nausea and vomiting.

2. Difficulty breathing.

3. Dizziness.

4. Excessive sweating.

5. Seizures and tremors.

VISINE is no joke. Patients use VISINE because they don't know what else to use. Go see your doctor and get properly diagnosed and treated. Your eyes and your pocketbook will thank you for it.

And by the way kiddies, isn't Wedding Crashes PG-13?

See more clearly with CRIZAL ALIZE

2008-11-23T20:01:00.000-08:00

The best treatment for the conditions of computer eyestrain, haloes at night, cataracts and dysfunctional tear syndrome is CRIZAL ALIZE. It is a high-end treatment for lenses that lets you see more clearly. Who wouldn't want that?

CRIZAL ALIZE actually lets light INTO the eye while other lenses reflect light OUT which creates glare. Glare ultimately reduces vision, especially if you have been diagnosed with a condition such as large pupils which causes haloes especially with driving at night. In the photos below you can see the difference:

YOU'LL SEE BETTER WITH CRIZAL!

In addition, many of our healthy patients love CRIZAL ALIZE because it simply makes their eyes look better through their glasses . . . as you can see here:

If you have a job that requires looking people in the eye, CRIZAL ALIZE lenses are even more important.

Who would you trust?

The girl on the left with the eyes you can't really see, or the girl on the right with the eyes you can see?

Our suggestion to you. Try it.

BAD BOYS BAD BOYS

2008-11-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

WHAT ARE THE POLICE TESTING
WHEN THEY GIVE THE EYE TEST?

We get asked this question quite often in our office, and usually from teenage boys that are about to get their driver's permit. Sometimes they are brave enough to ask what they really want to know: if we, their eye doctor knows how to BEAT the eye test.

BAD BOYS BAD BOYS!

The answer is no. You cannot beat it.

The eye test as given by a Police Officer is the same test that we perform hundreds of times a month. The test given by a Police Officer is called the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, and is 1 of 3 field sobriety tests to detect if someone is DUI. The Police Officer is carefully watching for bouncing or jerking of the eyeballs, called nystagmus, when looking to the far right or left. In addition, the Officer is looking for how smoothly the eyes move right to left, up and down and how well they can track a moving target, usually a finger or flashlight.

Guess what? If you are intoxicated with drugs and/or alcohol, your central nervous system will not work like it should. The vestibular system of the ear and the motor system of the eyes will give you away whether you like it or not! You are most likely to fail this test. There are even studies done by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration that goes so far as to estimate the blood alcohol content according to when the nystagmus starts during the DUI eye test.

The test that Optometrist perform in the exam room is called the Extra-Ocular Motility test. We are looking for the same things Police Officers do: jerky eyes, irregular movement, eye turns and poor tracking. The outcome is a little different with us of course! We diagnose the condition and offer the best treatment. We do not make it a habit to handcuff our patients.

In addition, we have many patients that are born with nystagmus or have acquired a nystagmus through a disorder or surgery of the brain. Because of this, the DUI eye test has received it's share of criticism because:

It is possible to fail the DUI eye test
and be completely sober!

And this is why the eye test is 1 of 3 field tests given for suspicion of a DUI. Here is walking the line (usually the imaginary line) which requires good vestibular (ear) and good ocular-motor (eye) coordination.

When it's okay to FAKE it.

2008-11-17T20:06:00.000-08:00

There's one simple rule to dating. Be true to yourself. Don't lie to yourself. Don't try to be someone that you are not. We all know this only because we've been burned trying to ignore it.

There is however, one exception. It is absolutely okay . . . absolutely perfect for a woman to lie and fake when it comes to one thing: her eyelashes. Curl them. Extend them. Make them grow. Anything.

And this is the best weapon: the Shu Umemura Eyelash curler. A perfect silicone pad gently rolls your genetically-faulted lashes into beautiful, lusty arches. Add some extensions . . . and you have them all fooled. Perfection for $18 or $24 for a gold plated goddess-maker!

One thing though. If he starts 'borrowing' your Shu Uemura Eyelash curler . . .

Glasses Destroyer Level III for Hire, Please let your child apply.

2008-11-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

WANTED: Child aged zero to 12 who is an expert at destroying glasses. If you hate wearing glasses, even better! Please send your resume in green crayon.

BENETTON eyewear has FINALLY FINALLY done something hip, fresh and cool with their kids glasses collection.

Colors and patterns inspired from things kids want most: ice-cream, kites, bubble gum, candy, doll dresses and toys. WE LOVE THESE FRAMES! They are for kids from infant to age 12 and are actually made for kids, unlike many frames which are just mini-versions of adult frames. Many of the styles are made of a soft rubber that is biocompatible and non-toxic!

Better yet, your child can TRY to destroy them only to their frustration. They might eventually give up that day job . . . yeah, right! BENETTON eyewear is shock-proof, twist-proof, drop-proof and temper tantrum-proof.

The BENETTON sunglass collection for kids is just as remarkable. Uber-kewt colors, shapes and designs paired with high-tech UV protective lenses for developing eyes . . . you cannot go wrong!

We are so impressed with this collection, we hope to have it by January 2009. We will update you with prices then.

Bigger is Better with ZoomText

2008-11-11T21:28:00.000-08:00

Are you or a loved one having problems seeing your computer? Is this print easier to read?

ZoomText is really a wonderful tool and is one of the best magnification and reading software applications available.

We recommend this program to many of our Low Vision patients. It has also been an amazing tool for Vision Impaired children as it can serve as a wonderful teaching aid for parents. CLICK THIS LINK to get a FREE TRIAL of this software.

Thanks MOM! I can't see REDS or GREENS . . .

2008-11-11T20:55:00.000-08:00

We test all new male patients for color blindness. We do this by using the classic Ishihara test plate as you see below:

The patient reports the number they see in the circle and the Optometrist will score them on wrong answers. Color blindness occurs in approximately 8% of males and 0.8% of females in the United States. The genetic defect is carried on the X-chromo

some, so men who have XY sex chromosomes are more likely to be color blind than women who tend to be carriers of the genetic disorder.

In the eye, there are 5 million cones and 100 million rods. The cones help us see color and the rods help us with night vision. In addition there are 3 types of cones: Small, Medium and Large.

Not everybody is color blind. Most are actually color deficient, meaning that most people are missing some Medium or Large type cones, but not all of them. The Medium and Large cones correspond to Green Cones and Red Cones, thus the term: Red-Green Color Deficiency. The image below shows the variation of color deficiencies on the American flag. Normal vision is the flag in the center.

Let's just say, that if you want a career in aviation or bomb squad security, you'll have to think again if you are color deficient.

By the way, the number in the circle above is #12. If you got it wrong, you're lying to yourself. It's a trick Ishihara test plate. 100% of all people can see it.

It's not gas dammit . . . I CAN'T SEE!!

2008-11-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

Do you have an angry baby at home? Or perhaps your neighbors are blessed with one of these?

Certainly bad behavior in children could simply be bad behavior because they are children, but vision does play a factor.

Studies show that poor vision directly affects a child's ability to understand, process and respond to the world around them. Imagine not being able to see clearly. You drop things. You fall behind in school. You lose confidence. You can't make friends. You feel isolated.

And you're only 3 years old!!

To prevent this from happening, please have your child see an Optometrist at these intervals as recommended by the American Optometric Association:

1. At age 6 months, then as recommended by your Optometrist;

2. At age 3, then as recommended by your Optometrist;

3. Before 1st grade, then as recommended by your Optometrist.

Here is a list of some symptoms to be aware of in your infant and toddler that you should report to your Optometrist immediately.

Avoidance or difficulty with reading.
Frequent rubbing of the eyes.
Squinting.
Headaches.
Poor coordination for their age.
Poor hand writing.
Losing their place with reading.
Asymmetric red reflex in photos.
A lazy eyelid.
An eye that turns out or in.

P.S. Pass this onto the neighbors.

What do you mean Grandma? YOU CAN'T SEE MY FACE?!

2008-11-11T14:53:00.000-08:00

So you can visually understand what your grandma may be going through, and stop acting like an insensitive jerk . . . below are 2 photos:

The one on the left is what you and I see, the "normal view." The photo on the right is what your grandparent sees: a beautiful autumn day with a large, black, blind spot. Now, imagine trying to read a book with that blind spot?! Hence, the universal hand signal for 'frustrated.'

This is MACULAR DEGENERATION. It is the leading cause of vision loss in the Western world. It is also know as ARMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration) and occurs in two primary forms: dry or wet. As you can see, the disease only affects the central vision but not the peripheral vision.

Loss of central vision with macular degeneration can be quite debilitating. Tasks such as reading, sewing and driving become a challenge and often very frustrating not just for grandma, but for the entire family.

As of now, there is no treatment for macular degeneration to restore vision that is already lost. There are some treatments for wet ARMD to prevent the progression of the disease that have proven to work well.

In our office, we provide Low Vision Care for our patients diagnosed with ARMD and other visual impairments. The use of magnification, proper illumination and filters have really helped most of our patients learn to maximize their remaining vision.

So please be nice to your grandma. Maybe it's time YOU baked a pie.

Dress your gorgeous face with PRADA

2008-11-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

is now in our office! We will always be carrying the latest season's collection for your prescription glasses and sunglasses. So you have no excuse not to update your look.

Remember . . . your face is a work of art.
It needs the right frame.

The PRADA brand is known for supreme quality and unique innovation. Prada handbags and shoes have always set the pace for what is exclusively stylish.

The PRADA eyewear collection is both of these things. Fabulous temple detail and innovative shapes will make it easy for you to find the perfect piece for your face. All the eyewear styles are inspired from the current seasons handbags, shoes and apparel if you want to match.

And what is even more amazing . . . you can apply your vision plan towards your PRADA eyewear!

PRADA eyewear prices range from $300 to $600.

You know you want it. So, let your doctor give you the perfect excuse and write you a prescription for the perfect pair.

Clear Care to the Rescue

2008-11-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

Irritated, dry eyes while wearing contact lenses is a common enough complaint in our office to discuss a good, healthy alternative that works.

Many patient have borderline dysfunctional tear syndrome, a condition where the tear chemistry in the eye is imbalanced and an inflammatory environment is thus created. It can cause irritation, dryness, discomfort, burning and the feeling of "sand in the eyes."

A very common indicator that you may have borderline dysfunctional tear syndrome is when the patient tells me this:

"Doctor, my eyes are perfectly happy when I wear my glasses, but my contact lenses feel uncomfortable after 6 hours!"

Most likely, it's NOT the contact lenses baby! It's your eyeballs!! For

patients that want to wear contact lenses but may be developing dysfunctional tear syndrome, I do 2 things:

1. I run a formal dry eye evaluation to properly diagnose the underlying cause.

2. We switch the patient from a preservative based contact lens solution such as Opti-Free, Renu, Aquify and Complete to a hydrogen peroxide based contact lens solution. The hydrogen peroxide based system has no preservatives and is less likely to irritate the corneal surface!

Our #1 prescribed hydrogen peroxide based contact lens solution is Clear Care. We have been using it for years and it really relieves sensitive and dysfunctional tear syndrome patients. It is used differently that the standard Multi-Purpose solutions I mentioned above, but the results are wonderful. With practice, using Clear Care is very easy.

We always prescribe hydrogen based solutions in a 2 step formula:

1. Clear Care to disinfect the contacts (kill bacteria and other bugs).

2. SoftWear Saline as your rinsing and working solution.

Please check out the Clear Care website for directions, safety tips and a demonstration: CLICK HERE!

As always, please see your Optometrist at least every year to prevent these issues from happening in the first place!

Does LASIK hurt? . . . brought to you by Cyanide & Happiness!!

2008-11-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is only for those who enjoy laughing!! One of the doctors at the practice emailed this to me the other day.

*WARNING*

If you tend to:1) take things too literally,

2) read WAY into things, or

3) take yourself too seriously . . .

PLEASE DO NOT LOOK BELOW. IT'S HILARIOUS! ~ brought to you by Cyanide and Happiness

Contact Lenses ARE like boyfriends . . .

2008-10-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

Contact lenses are like boyfriends . . . Not every contact lens is going to work, and you may even have to try on a few frogs before you get the right one.

We might even go one step further and say, like boyfriends, it's totally cool to upgrade and trade in the old ones for new ones. I do believe in this philosophy: Good Enough is just not Good Enough! My mom taught me that when I was 16 . . . and she was right.

So out with that boyfriend that doesn't return your phonecalls!! . . .

So out with those contacts that don't breathe 100% oxygen!! . . .

I have been upgrading my patients into Silicone Hydrogel* contact lenses for several years now. They breathe 100% oxygen (compared to 20% oxygen of standard hydrogel contact lenses), and thus will keep your eyes healthier for a lifetime of clear vision. Makes sense, right? I have a couple of choice brands that I use: Biofinity made by CooperVision and Night & Day made by Ciba.

Both lenses are FDA approved to be 1 month disposables. How convenient and cost-effective!!

Please ask your eye doctor to upgrade your contacts to Silicone Hydrogels right now! Your eyes will thank you for it. And if your boyfriend won't pick you up after your doctor's appointment . . . it's time to have that talk.

*Although unlikely, please note that less that 10% of patients have sensitivity to silicone-based contact lenses.

VMA of the Year goes to . . . "Glaucoma Suspect"

2008-10-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

This video is for all my colleagues that love to dork out on glaucoma. Check out this YouTube video . . . I'd have to say that this is better than the original Justin Timerberlake / T.I. version. Sorry chaps!

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma is usually caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) that causes damage to the optic nerve, the tube that connects your eyes to the brain. The damage of the optic nerve fibers of the eye can result in permanent vision loss. The vision loss starts in your peripheral vision, progressively closing in to form a dark ring, and eventually will lead to total blindness if left untreated. See here:

Normal IOP is between 10-20mmHg and is measured by your Optometrist. Pressures 21mmHg and above may indicate ocular hypertension and optic nerve damage. There is no pain associated with most glaucomas, so it is commonly left untreated. Regular eye examinations with your Optometrist are important in the early detection and prevention of glaucoma!!

There are a few risk factors for glaucoma: race (Black & Asian), advancing age, diabetes and family history (especially sibling). If your Optometrist suspects you may be developing glaucoma, or that you may have increased risk factors for developing glaucoma, your Optometrist will order tests and track those tests for change. The tests include tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, perimetry and gonioscopy.

If you are being tracked by your Optometrist as a glaucoma suspect, you should be seen every 3 to 6 months depending on your risk factors and test results.

ic! berlin, I see.

2008-10-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

There's nothing but everything to love about IC Berlin eyewear!! We've just added the IC Berlin collection to our office and patients are raving about how light, stylish and comfortable they are.IC Berlin is designed out of Germany with their own proprietary sheet metal. The shapes are terribly modern but simple. The most unique feature is the screw-less hinge . . . you will have to see it for yourself to appreciate the simplicity of design yet complexity in function.Most shapes are available in black (most popular), brown, silver, gold and copper. Glasses are available in clear or tinted and of course can be custom made with your doctor's prescription! We also started carrying the plastic version of the frames because they were just too cool to refuse. Prices start at $435 plus the cost of your prescription lenses.

What's even cooler is the IC Berlin website www.icberlin.com in which you can not only check out the entire collection, but can 'try on' a pair of glasses on a person with similar features of your own in the "TRYOUT" section of their website.

That's a Cataract, baby!

2008-10-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been outside on a bright day and happen to see this?

No, not Brad Pitt walking around with his daughter . . .

But have you seen a parent walking around with their child . . . The parent is wearing sunglasses (cause it's bright outside!) and the child has nothing.

I know children are terrible when it comes to wearing sunglasses. Children are experts when it comes to losing them. Ripping them off their face. Throwing them down on the ground. They just love a good protest.

But lets remember that children also LOVE to look like mommy and daddy! Promoting early UV protection for your children or grandchildren can really prolong the development of a cataract and a lifetime of clear vision.

According to the American Optometric Association, a CATARACT is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally clear lens of the eye. Depending on the size and/or location, it can interfere with normal vision. Most people will develop a cataract by the age of 55 . A cataract can be caused by a few factors, with UV exposure being the most common.

So if we are to develop a cataract by the age of 55 . . . we may need cataract surgery by the age of 75 (remember your grandparents?). When a cataract is removed, it is replaced with an IOL (intra-ocular lens implant) which lasts for about 20 years.

What does it tell us when our children today are predicted to live to the age of 114? It tells me that PREVENTATIVE care is the cornerstone of our health. Parents, please put those sunglasses on your children! They will be less likely to develop cataracts. And less likely to have to repeat a cataract surgery.

P.S. Now that's more like it!

Visine Rehab

2008-09-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

"I HAVE RED EYES."

That is the most common complaint I hear from patients. There are many reasons why eyes can get red. I'll list a few:

1. allergies

2. infection

3. dry eyes

4. sad movies

5. Visine

Today I would like to address item #5: Visine.

Visine is a vasocontrictor and most patients have used or are still using it. It is addictive as it decreases blood flow to the vessels of the eye to 'get the red out', but really never fixes the underlying cause of the redness to begin with. Your eyes still get red and you still have to use it! If this is you . . . If you've been using Visine (or Clear Eyes) for many months or years, and you're still on it, chances are you need to go to Visine Rehab.

Here is an easy to follow 5 step program:

1. Make the decision to rid your life from Visine.

2. Throw that old bottle away!

3. Use Preservative-Free Artificial Tears instead.

4. Call your friends and family and educate them about the evils of Visine.

5. Get a sponsor. Preferably your local Optometrist.

I prescribe patients TheraTears Preservative-Free Artificial Tears. They are safe and actually lubricate the eyes. You will need to take one drop four times a day or as needed depending on your symptoms.

And if your eyes are still red . . . it's time you contact your 'sponsor.' That's what an eye doctor is for.

Introduction

2008-09-14T19:04:00.001-07:00

Welcome to 20TWENTY, Oakland Vision Center's very first online journal! We have been providing the Downtown Oakland community with excellent service and comprehensive eyecare for over 50 years. I myself, have been practicing Optometry since 1999 and look forward to sharing my thoughts about anything related to VISION, the EYE and running a BUSY PRACTICE.

Thank you for checking out 20TWENTY!!

**All thoughts, ideas and blogposts are property of Oakland Vision Center, Inc. and cannot be duplicated in any fashion without the written consent of Oakland Vision Center, Inc.